I purchased inexpensive dragon art as well as black and white graphic patterns at canstockphoto.com {I used them on EVERYTHING for the party...from water wraps to favor tags..that purchase went far}. I pulled them into PSE and made them into sizes that corresponded to the Engineering Prints at Staples. {I'm sure you could probably do something similar in PicMonkey if you don't have PSE}.

I saved them as JPEGs {that's what is required for Engineering Prints}. Then I uploaded to the online Staples Copy & Print Center. The Engineering Prints are in a special area, as pictured above. I ordered them to be sent to my local Staples. Engineering Prints are only available in black and white and aren't super duper high res, which is why they are so inexpensive.

This is by no means a professional "mounting" job...I was taking easy street this time. I used black duct tape and just wrapped that board like a sloppy present.

I made three of these total and had two on the food table and one on the mantel {as pictured above}. I think they turned out great for our little ninja shindig. I'm hoping to post an entire party recap asap.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Looking for an easy party food recipe that your guests will love? This cheese ball has something for everyone: salty and sweet with lots of texture and yumminess. Cheese ball recipes are always a hit around here...and this one is no exception.

I first tasted an Aloha Cheeseball at one of my friend's houses back in high school. Her mom had made it for us to snack on...we finished the entire thing in the duration of one movie. It was sooo good. Over 20+ years later and it's still one of my favorite combination of flavors.

I recently saw a super similar recipe from Nikki at Chef in Training. She also included powdered sugar in hers...so I decided to give it a whirl. It did not disappoint! It's now a staple in mine.

You'll Need:

half of a package of diced ham {sometimes I make two cheeseballs to use it all up}

1 small can crushed pineapple

2 {8-ounce} packages of cream cheese {softened}

2 tablespoons chopped green onions

2-3 tablespoons powdered sugar

1 cup chopped pecans {I've also used chopped macadamia nuts in this, too, to add even more "aloha" to it. Our store was out of them last week, though.}

Drain your pineapple really well. Any excess liquid will make your cheeseball not want to form an actual ball.

Mix all ingredients except nuts. Fold everything together until incorporated.

Form a ball. Gently wrap in plastic wrap and chill for a couple of hours. Remove from plastic wrap and roll into the chopped pecans. Wrap again and chill until ready to serve. {If you're making this for a party the next day, go easy on the green onions. They seem to get more intense the longer the flavors are able to marry. And their flavor tends to take over the entire cheeseball after more than a day}.

I actually like to serve these with the scoop-style Fritos or tortilla chips...the saltiness of the chips is so yummy with the pineapple in this. My friend's mom always served hers with Triscuits.

Monday, February 25, 2013

If you've never had a chocolate and sprinkle covered fortune cookie...you are missing out, friend. These were fabulous and so easy to put together. I made these for my son's Ninja birthday party and we all loved them. I was inspired by the ones I saw over at Vixen Made.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Hey, hey, hey! We have had a fun weekend over here. Our youngest turned six last week. We've thoroughly celebrated...and then some! And now I'm pooped! But it was lots of fun and he is one precious baby boy.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be sure to come back on Tuesday to check out a fun round-up from today's party.{Not sure what a linky party is? It's a virtual party for bloggers to share their creativity with others out there. If you have any questions about what/how/why we linky, let me know and I'll do my best to give you a good answer.}

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Continuing on our Star Wars themed room...here's a super easy no-sew window treatment that I {literally} put together in very little time {the longest part was hanging the rod}. It's a combination of my faux roman shade as well as floor to ceiling panels. These window treatments use three twin size sheets, tension rods and safety pins {no judgement, please}.

Little man's birthday party is this weekend {here in our home}, so I was in a hurry to get something on that window. I like this so much, it may be permanent...safety pins and all.

The bedding for the two beds consisted of a bed in a bag from Kohl's, the Star Wars sheets from PBKids and the duvet covers from Target. I used the fitted sheets from the bed in the bags on the box springs of the beds {was trying something different than the usual bed skirt}. I used the pillow case from that set on an extra pillow...because my boy likes lots of pillows, like his mama. I wasn't sure what I would do with the flat sheet...and then...EUREKA! Window treatments were born.

Ugh. The new white paint on the board and batten treatments make the blinds look even more beige.

I started by removing the top piece of the blinds {I think they call it a valance, too}.

Then I took a spare twin flat sheet that I've had from who knows where and who knows how long. In order to get this show on the road, I just pinned it. I was too lazy even for hot glue this time. Sad.

But, I folded it to somewhat resemble the size of the window and then pinned it. Pinned it.

Then I mounted the first of three tension rods in the top of the window frame.

And slung that pinned sheet over the rod.

The pins don't even show since they're on the side edges. Sah-weeet.

Then I added a second rod and pulled the sheet over it.

Then I added a third rod and pulled the sheet through on both of the rods...just enough to get about six inches of overhang. As you can see my shade doesn't even reach the edges of the window. Pathetic. But, it is just a facade. I kept the blinds in place to use them at night. And, it will be covered by those patterned sheets.....err, curtainpanels.

Then we hung the rod for the panels. We made sure to get it as close to the ceiling as possible...to add height to the window, visually.

Then I took my two twin flat sheets and folded them so they would just barely skim the floor when hung. I used the clips from the curtain rings to hold the folds in place. Then I hung the clips on the rings which were already on the rod.

I honestly worried about using the darker "fabric" on the background layer...but it really doesn't bother me too much. Whatcha think? Could I be any lazier?

Printables & Images TOU

All images and printables featured on this blog are mine {or I have sought permission from their owner to use them}. Please do not reproduce and/or sell any image you see on this blog, without my permission. All printables are for personal use only. Please do not sell my printables for your own profit or feature them as your own design.